Shag rug attachment for suction cleaner nozzle

ABSTRACT

A skid is attached to the nozzle of a suction cleaner, permanently or detachably and adjustably, and has a pair of spaced sled-like runners extending laterally of the nozzle opening and connected together laterally in spaced relation. A rake is mounted for limited pivotal movement at either or both of the front and rear ends of the skid. Each rake has spaced straight tines, points or teeth. The skid determines the height of the nozzle above the backing and shag strands of a shag rug during cleaning. Pivotal movement of any rake is controlled so that the rake points extend upright on either the back or the front stroke of the nozzle, and so that the rake pivots away from a rug on the nozzle stroke across a rug reverse from that during which the points are maintained upright. This enables the rug shag strands to be rake-combed during any selected one or both of the back and front strokes of the nozzle across the rug.

United States Patent 1 1 Fairaizl et al.

[4 1 Jan. 8, 1974 1 SHAG RUG ATTACHMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE [73] Assignee: Health-Mot Inc., Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: July 3, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 268,860

Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore Attorney-John H. Bishop et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A skid is attached to the nozzle of a suction cleaner, permanently or detachably and adjustably, and has a pair of spaced sled-like runners extending laterally of the nozzle opening and connected together laterally in spaced relation. A rake is mounted for limited pivotal movement at either or both of the front and rear ends of the skid. Each rake has spaced straight tines, points or teeth. The skid determines the height of the nozzle above the backing and shag strands of a shag rug during cleaning. Pivotal movement of any rake is controlled so that the rake points extend upright on either the back or the front stroke of the nozzle, and so that the rake pivots away from a rug on the nozzle stroke across a rug reverse from that during which the points are maintained upright. This enables the rug shag strands to be rake-combed during any selected one or both of the back and front strokes of the nozzle across the rug.

7 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures SHAG RUG ATTACHMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE RELATED PATENT The new construction constitutes an improvement upon the construction disclosed in Fairaizl et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,734 of June 13, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to suction cleaners, and more particularly to an attachment for the nozzle of a suction cleaner for cleaning and combing rugs having long shaggy rug nap strandsfDifficulties have been encountered in the art in effectively cleaning and dressing up the appearance of shag rugs. Cleaning requirements include maintaining the nozzle lips spaced from the rug backing a predetermined fixed distance so that air circulates through the rug nap or strands to obtain maximum cleaning efficiency. Along with this requirement it is desired to complete the cleaning operation by locating the shaggy strands to extend in an orderly fashion and present a neat appearance.

2. Description of the Prior Art The skid construction shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,734 provides an effective answer for obtaining a good shag rug cleaning efficiency as well as easy nozzle movement along the surface of a shag rug and without sealing the nozzle lips against the shag strands whichwould prevent the flow of cleaning air through the nozzle.

However, the construction of U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,734, while maintaining the proper nozzle height with respect to a shag rug, does not comb the shag strands to provide a neat rug appearance when com pletely cleaned. Nor does the prior construction loosen the strands from one another for increased cleaning efficiency in use.

A rake attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle has been proposed which has a curved tooth rake loosely mounted on and behind the rear lip of a suction cleaner nozzle. The rake raises and lowers and changes position during nozzle movement. As a result, during nozzle movement, the nozzle height above the rug raises and lowers over a considerable distance, substantially varying the cleaning efficiency during back and forth move ment of the nozzle along the rug. The curved teeth of the rake act as skids at the rear only of the nozzle during forward nozzle movement when the front lip of the nozzle can move downward to a sealing position which reduces air circulation through the rug strands or iibers.

Accordingly, there is a need for a suction cleaner nozzle attachment which will maintain proper nozzle spacing above the backing of a shag rug at all times during use and which combs the strands of a shag rug during nozzle movement across the rug.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objectives of the invention include providing an attachment for suction cleaner nozzles, particularly for cleaning shag rugs, which maintains maximum cleaning efficiency, which combs the shag rug strands during nozzle movement across the rug to present a neat cleaned rug appearance, and which permits easy manipulation of the nozzle; providing a shag rug attachment for suction cleaner nozzles of the character indicated which may be permanently or removably mounted on the nozzle depending upon the type of nozzle involved, whether a straight air nozzle or a nozzle with a rotary brush; providinga :shag rug attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle which is adjustable to vary the height at which the nozzle is located above the rug backing during cleaning; providing a shag rug attachment fora suction cleaner nozzle which when in predetermined position on the nozzle maintains a constant height of nozzle above the backing of the rug being cleaned throughout front and back stroke movement of the nozzle across the rug, and which combs the rug strands during at least one of such nozzle stroke movements; providing a shag rug attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle which incorporates the foregoing advantageous features and which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, sturdy and durable in use, automatic in combing operation, and which eliminates difficulties heretofore encountered, achieves the objectives indi' cated, and solves problems and satisfies needs existing in the art.

These objects and advantages are obtained by the shag rug attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle, the general nature of which may be stated as including two spaced skid runners each having upturned ends detachably mounted in spaced relation on the nozzle lips of a cleaner nozzle with the runners extending laterally of the nozzle opening; cross bar means connecting the two runners at least at their forward ends at a location spaced forwardly of the front of the nozzle; a bracket mounted on each forward runner end; a rake member having a rake bar and straight teeth projecting in spaced' parallel relation from the rake bar and having roundedends, the rake bar having cylindrical end portions; rake bar end portions being journaled for pivotal movement in the brackets, control means interengageable between the rake bar andbrackets limiting pivotal movement of the rake between a position with the rake teeth extending substantially vertically, and an angled position to which the rake teeth swing freely with respect to and on engagement with material being cleaned on movement of the attachment along such material; and preferably means for adjustably positioning the location of the runners with respect to the nozzle to vary the nozzle height above the material being cleaned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention illustrative of the best modes in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles are set forth in the following description and shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of improved attachment mounted on the nozzle of suction cleaner equipment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment removed from the nozzle;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a nozzle with the attachment mounted thereon as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of parts shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view looking in the direction of arrows 55, FIG. 3, showing the parts in at-rest position as lowered on to a shag rug to be cleaned;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. of one form of construction illustrating the nozzle during a back stroke, with the back rake swinging forwardly and the front rake held with its teeth upright, clear of the surface on which the runners of attachment slide, and combing the rug being cleaned.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the parts in the position assumed during a front stroke of the nozzle with the rear rake combing the rug being cleaned and the front rake pivoted rearward to avoid being tangled in the shag strands of the rug;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top view of certain of the parts shown in FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows 88, FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a section on the line 9-9, FIG. 8;

FIG. is a fragmentary section on the line 10-l0, FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a slightly modified form of construction, with the front and rear rakes both held in vertical position during a nozzle back stroke;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the front and rear rakes of FIG. 1 1 pivoted rearward to clear the rug on a front stroke;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan view taken on the line l3-l3, FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of the arrows 14-14, FIG. 13;

FIG. is a view similar to FIGS. 6 and 11 of a modified form of attachment releasably mounted on a nozzle of the type having a revolving brush;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing the attachment adjusted for maximum nozzle height above a surface being cleaned;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIGS. 15 and 16 showing the nozzle adjusted for minimum nozzle height;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing the position of the parts of a front stroke of the nozzle;

FIG. 19 is a section looking in the direction of arrows 19-19, FIG. 16, illustrating mechanism for adjusting the nozzle height;

FIG. is a fragmentary perspective view of certain of the parts shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 18 but showing the rake at the front of the nozzle held in vertical position during a front stroke of the nozzle; and

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 22-22, FIG. 21, illustrating one form of releasable mounting means for the attachment of FIGS. 15 through 21.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment The improved shag rug attachment is generally indicated at l in FIGS. 1 through 10. The attachment 1 may be rigidly mounted by screws 2 on the underside of the lips 3 and 4 of a typical nozzle 5 for suction cleaner equipment. Nozzle 5 is removably mounted at the end of a wand 6 which may be detachably connected to a hose 7 leading to the cleaners source of suction, not shown.

The nozzle 5 may be a usual suction cleaner nozzle attachment for cleaning all types and kinds of carpets or surfaces and may or may not be equipped with a brush 8 which may be adjustably mounted on the backside of the rear nozzle lip 4.

Preferably, the attachment 1 is rigidly mounted on the nozzle 5 by screws 2 as indicated, but attachment 1 may be detached from nozzle 5 by removing the screws 2. The attachment 1 is a skid-like assembly having a pair of sled-like runners 9 spaced apart and extending a considerable distance forwardly and rearwardly of the nozzle 5 when mounted on the nozzle with the screws 2 extending through countersunk portions 10 in the central zone of the runners 9. Two runners 9 are assembled in a frame-like arrangement with cross bars 11 seated in rolled beads 12 at the upturned ends 13 of each runner 9, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the runners 9 (FIG. 4) extend forward and rearward laterally of the nozzle opening 14 in spaced relation at the ends of the nozzle 5.

The attachment 1 thus forms a stable frame supported on the underside of the nozzle 5. The undersurfaces 15 of the runners 9 are adapted to ride on the backing of a shag rug and shag strands extending therefrom, so as to space the nozzle lips 3 and 4 and nozzle opening 14 a sufficient distance above the rug backing and matted shag strands or nap that air currents can be drawn into the nozzle without sealing the nozzle against the shag rug R, as shown in FIG. 5.

A rake 16 is mounted for limited pivotal movement, preferably adjacent each cross bar 11, on attachment 1. Saddle-like brackets 17 are mounted in any usual manner as by screws 18 on the upper portions of the upturned ends 13 of each runner 8 (FIGS. 2-5). The rakes 16 preferably may be of molded plastic material having main rake bar portions 19 and integral tines, points or teeth 20. The points or teeth 20 preferably are formed with a rounded lower ends 21 (FIG. 10).

Each rake bar 19 has a cylindrical end portion 22 which is joumaled in a bracket 17 between the bracket 17 and upturned end 13 at each end of each runner in order that the rake may swing or pivot backward and forward on the attachment 1. The rakes 16 are located a considerable distance in front and in back of the nozzle lips 3 and 4 and extend in an out-rigged fashion generally parallel to the lips 3 and 4, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this manner, the rakes do not come in contact with or interfere in any manner with the suction cleaning action of the nozzle maintained spaced at the proper height above the rug backing to provide efficient cleaning air currents.

Pivotal movement of either rake 16 is controlled by radial pins 23 projecting from the cylindrical rake ends 22 and movable in elongated slots 24 formedin the cylindrical portions 25 of each bracket 17. The length and location of the slot 24 in a bracket 17 and the arcuate location of the radial pin 23 with reference to the axes of the rake teeth 20 determine the amount of rotation of each rake 16 when pivoted on its pivotal mounting, as well as the direction in which the rake may pivot between an upright position of the rake teeth 20 and a swung rake position.

Pins 23 for the front and rear rakes 16 in FIGS. 1 to 10, project from the cylindrical rake ends 22 at an angle of from the direction in which the axes of the teeth 20 project from the rake bar 19 (FIGS. 2, 5, 8 and 9). Slots 24 for the front rake 16 (right-hand of FIG. 5) extend clockwise downwardly through an arc of about 45 so that the front rake 16 can swing between the vertical rake tooth position of FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, upwardly, rearwardly to the angled position shown in FIG. 7 and in dot-dash lines in FIG. 9.

Similarly, the slots 24 in the brackets 17 for the rear or left-hand rake 16 of FIG. 5, are located and have a length such that the rake 16 may swing between a vertical tooth position shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and an upwardly forwardly angled position shown in FIG. 6.

In this manner, when the nozzle 5 is moved on a front stroke (FIG. 7), the rear rake l6 combs the rug fibers and the front rake l6 swings upwardly, rearwardly upon any contact with matted rug fibers to clear the fibers so as not to retard easy movement of the nozzle 5 during a front stroke.

Similarly, during a back stroke of the attachment 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the front or right-hand rake 16 has its teeth 20 held at a vertical position to comb the rug fibers during a back stroke and the rear rake lfi'pivots upwardly forwardly on contact with any rug fibers so as not to impede easy back movement of the nozzle 5 during a back stroke.

Accordingly, the attachment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10 when mounted on a suction cleaner nozzle, combs the rug fibers of a shag rug during cleaning and during front and back nozzle strokes as indicated by the arrows F and B, without causing substantial resistance by the rakes 16 to nozzle movement in either direction. The rake movement control arrangement described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 10 is the normal arrangement ordinarily used for most shag rugs. The combing at the rear end of the attachment relative to the stroke direction, and the rake lifting at the forward end relative to stroke direction, avoids lifting the nozzle from the rug nozzle movement incident to the use of the rakes to comb shag rug fibers.

Second Embodiment The shag rug attachment indicated generally at 26 in FIGS. 11 through 14 has the same construction as the attachment 1 of FIGS. 1 through 10 excepting for the control of rake location and movement. The front rake 16A for the attachment 26 is constructed and operates and is controlled in the same manner as the front rake 16 of attachment 1 in that the teeth 20 are upright on the back stroke of the nozzle 5 indicated by the arrow B and swing away from the rug being cleaned during the front stroke indicated by the arrow F in FIGS. 11 and 12.

However, the rear rake 16B is not controlled so that its movement and combing position are the same as for the front rake 16A. The change is accomplished by changing the position of the radial pin 23A so that it projects at an angle from the vertical when the teeth 20 are vertical and projects vertically (FIGS. 12, 13 and 14) when the rake is swung rearwardly to its limit of movement.

In this manner, to accommodate certain types of rugs, the nozzle 5 may be moved without rake interfer ence with the rug on a front stroke as illustrated in FIG. 12, and the rakes 16A and 16B both comb the rug on the back stroke, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

At all times the nozzle 5 of the attachments l and 26 of both embodiments of the invention described, ride on their runners 9 on the rug being cleaned, with the runners determining and maintaining the desired fixed height of the nozzle 5 above the rug backing so as to insure most efficient cleaning air flow.

Third Embodiment Another form of improved attachment is illustrated in FIGS. 15-22, designed tobe detachably mounted on a typical commercial suction cleaner attachment nozzle equipped with a power driven rotary brush. The power brush nozzle 27 includes a housing 28 having nozzle opening (not shown) and contains a power driven brushof a commercial type. The housing 28 has an outlet 29 which may be connected to a wand 30 similar to the wand 6 of FIG. 1. Nozzle 27 also preferably has a caster 31 to facilitate handling the power brush nozzle 27 inperforming a normal cleaningoperation.

The power brush nozzle 27 when it is attempted to be used to clean a shag rug, readily seals against the rug making cleaning a very difficult and time-consuming operation. These difficulties are avoided by equipping the nozzle 27 with the improved shag rug attachment which comprises a frame including spaced runners 32 joined in spaced relation at the front by a cross bar 33 similar to the cross bars 11. A rake 34 substantially identical with the rake 16 of attachments l and 26 is mounted by saddle brackets 35 on the front upturned ends 36 of the runners 32. Rake 34 has a bar portion 37 and integral teeth 38 and the rake 34 may be formed as a plastic member. Cylindrical end portions 39 of rake 34 are journaled within the saddle brackets 35 in the same manner as in attachments 1 and 26.

The rake 34 is controlled in its movement by pins 40 moving in elongated slots (not shown) between a normal upright rake tooth position shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 and an upwardly rearwardly extended position of the teeth 38 as shown in FIG. 18.

During the back stroke B of the nozzle 27 illustrated in FIG. 15 the rake 34 located outwardly of the front of the nozzle combs the rug being cleaned. During forward stroke F of nozzle 27 (FIG. 18) rake 34 pivots rearwardly upwardly when engaging the strands of a shag rug to clear the rug so that the attachment does not impede movement of nozzle 27.

The power brush nozzle 27 has many uses for cleaning different kinds of surfaces. Thus, it is preferred to detachably mount the improved attachment on the nozzle. This may be accomplished by the tensioned releasable pin and sleeve construction shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. A pair of mounting pins 41 and 42 are mounted on and extend upwardly from the flat lower runner portion 43 of each runner 32. The upper ends of the pins 41 are axially adjustably received and clamped in split ring spring tensioned socket tubes 44 which are mounted in the laterally spaced ends of the nozzle housing 28.

It is preferred that the detachably mounted attachment generally indicated at 45 in FIGS. 15 through 22 should be positioned for adjusting the height of the nozzle above the surface being cleaned or against which the runners 32 engage and on which they slide, represented by the floor or rug line 46. This may be accomplished by mounting an adjusting cam mechanism generally indicated at 47 on each of the two spaced runners 32 of attachment 45.

The adjusting cam mechanism 47 may comprise a post 48 on which a circular cam 49 is eccentrically journaled on pivot shaft 50. Cam 49 may be indexed for various adjustment heights, four being illustrated in the drawings. Spring pressed ball 51 may be mounted on post 48 adapted to engage selectively in one of four spherically shaped sockets 52 formed in the face 53 of circular cam 49 which is engaged by the spring pressed ball 51.

Due to the eccentricity of the mounting of cam 49, with the four sockets 52 illustrated, the nozzle 27 may be adjusted to its highest position, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19, to its lowest as shown in FIG. 17, and to an intermediate position shown in FIGS. and 18, by manipulation of the cams 49 at each end of the nozzle to the positions illustrated. The cam 49 may have a knurled peripheral edge 54 to facilitate engagement and holding of the cam in selected position engaged with the nozzle 27 as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a different relative location of the rake control pin 55 with respect to the slot in bracket 35 than the location of the control pin 40 in FIG. 15. When the control pin 55 is located as shown in FIG. 21, the rake 34 will have its teeth in upright position shown during a forward stroke F of the nozzle. This may be desired with certain types of floor coverings being cleaned by a rotary brush nozzle with a shag rug rake.

IN GENERAL The formation of the rakes in the various attachments illustrated and described from plastic material and journaling the rakes for a limited pivotal movement in their mounting and control brackets, which may be formed of metal, provides for smooth pivotal movement of plastic material journaled within a metal memher.

In each of the attachments illustrated and described, the shag rug attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle is detachably mounted on the nozzle even though in the first two embodiments the mounting is obtained using screws in order to rigidly hold the attachment in place on the nozzle. It has been found that the spring clip detachable mounting of shag rug skid runners shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,668,734 can sometimes be disengaged by bumping the attachment against a piece of furniture. This difficulty is eliminated when the attachment is detachably mounted on the nozzle with screws or the like.

Finally, the operation of the rakes, as indicated, may be changed whether one or two rakes are associated with a nozzle, and whether the combing is to take place during the front or back stroke of the nozzle at any rake location.

Accordingly, the improved shag rug attachment for suction cleaner nozzles provides not only for spacing the nozzle a desired or predetermined distance above the rug being cleaned so as to prevent the nozzle from sealing off against the shag strands of a shag rug, but also provides for combing the rug during back and forth movement of the nozzle across the surface being cleaned; provides a construction which may adjust the height of the nozzle above the rug; provides a construction which is easy to manipulate during a cleaning operation; and provides a construction which incorporates the new and advantageous features described, overcomes prior art difficulties indicated, and solves problems and obtains the new results in the art described.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the shag rug attachment is constructed, attached to a nozzle and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a shag rug attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle of a type in which two spaced skid runners each having upturned ends are detachably mounted in spaced relation on the nozzle lips and extend laterally of the nozzle opening; cross bar means connecting the two runners at least at their forward ends at a location spaced forwardly of the front of the nozzle; a bracket mounted on each forward runner end; a rake member having a rake bar and straight teeth projecting in spaced parallel relation from the rake bar; the rake bar having cylindrical end portions journaled for pivotal movement in said brackets; and control means interengageable between the rake bar and brackets limiting pivotal movement of the rake between a position with the rake teeth extending substantially vertically and an angled position to which the rake teeth swing freely with respect to an engagement with material being cleaned on movement of the attachment along such material.

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which there is cross bar means connecting the two runners at their rear ends at a location spaced rearwardly of the rear of the nozzle; in which a bracket is mounted on each rear runner end; and in which a rear rake is journaled in the rear brackets.

3. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the control means for the front and rear rakes are constructed and arranged so that when one rake is held with its teeth in vertical position the other rake may swing to an angled position on movement of the attachment across a rug being cleaned.

4. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the control means for the front and rear rakes are constructed and arranged so that both rakes are held with their teeth in vertical position when the attachment is moved in one direction over a rug being cleaned, and so that both rakes swing to angled position on movement of the attachment in the other direction over a rug being cleaned.

5. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the control means includes an elongated slot in each bracket, and a pin projecting from the cylindrical end portion of the rake and extending into the elongated slot; and in which the pin engages the ends of the slot to limit rake pivotal movement at the vertical and angled positions of the rake teeth.

6. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the control means for the rake is constructed and arranged so that the rake is held with its teeth in vertical position when the nozzle on which it is mounted is moved rearwardly over a rug being cleaned, and in which the rake may swing to angled position on movement in the other direction.

7. The construction defined in claim 1 in which means is provided for adjustably positioning the location of the runners with respect to a nozzle on which the attachment is mounted to vary the nozzle height above the material being cleaned. 

1. In a shag rug attachment for a suction cleaner nozzle of a type in which two spaced skid runners each having upturned ends are detachably mounted in spaced relation on the nozzle lips and extend laterally of the nozzle opening; cross bar means connecting the two runners at least at their forward ends at a location spaced forwardly of the front of the nozzle; a bracket mounted on each forward runner end; a rake member having a rake bar and straight teeth projecting in spaced parallel relation from the rake bar; the rake bar having cylindrical end portions journaled for pivotal movement in said brackets; and control means interengageable between the rake bar and brackets limiting pivotal movement of the rake between a position with the rake teeth extending substantially vertically and an angled position to which the rake teeth swing freely with respect to an engagement with material being cleaned on movement of the attachment along such material.
 2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which there is cross bar means connecting the two runners at their rear ends at a location spaced rearwardly of the rear of the nozzle; in which a bracket is mounted on each rear runner end; and in which a rear rake is journaled in the rear brackets.
 3. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the control means for the front and rear rakes are constructed and arranged so that when one rake is held with its teeth in vertical position the other rake may swing to an angled position on movement of the attachment across a rug being cleaned.
 4. The construction defined in claim 2 in which the control means for the front and rear rakes are constructed and arranged so that both rakes are held with their teeth in vertical position when the attachment is moved in one direction over a rug being cleaned, and so that both rakes swing to angled position on movement of the attachment in the other direction over a rug being cleaned.
 5. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the control means includes an elongated slot in each bracket, and a pin projecting from the cylindrical end portion of the rake and extending into the elongated slot; and in which the pin engages the ends of the slot to limit rake pivotal movement at the vertical and angled positions of the rake teeth.
 6. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the control means for the rake is constructed and arranged so that the rake is held with its teeth in vertical position when the nozzle on which it is mounted is moved rearwardly over a rug being cleaned, and in which the rake may swing to angled position on movement in the other direction.
 7. The construction defined in claim 1 in which means is provided for adjustably positioning the location of the runners with respect to a nozzle on which the attachment is mounted to vary the nozzle height above the material being cleaned. 